Public Service Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria has come out to disclose one quality that sets Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka apart in Azimio One Kenya Alliance.
Speaking on Citizen TV, Kuria said Kalonzo is normally engaged in dialogue with members of his community and party. He explained that Kalonzo encourages his followers to discuss how to become better in opposition without intending to work with the government, unlike other leaders.
“This guy is normally in Rock City with people from his community dialoguing all the time; he is always in Maanzoni, dialoguing all the time. Kalonzo is the only guy who engages his community in dialogue on how to become better people in the opposition. He has never had dialogue with his people telling them how they can get into government,” Kuria said.
Kuria said he will call Kalonzo and DAP-K Party leader Eugene Wamalwa and convince them to support the dialogue calls made by President William Ruto and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
He stated that he will particularly reach out to Kalonzo since he is a senior leader in Kenya and should not miss the dialogue.
“I want to call him and ask him not to lose this moment,” Kuria said.
Kuria explained that Kalonzo’s problem is that he normally makes a lot of considerations before deciding what to do.
He asked the former Vice President to stop the calculations and support the dialogue even if the majority of his supporters disagree with his decision.
“That is the big problem with Kalonzo because he normally says if I go this way and it goes like this. Why can’t you just be principled, do it because you are convinced. Don’t keep on doing some algebra, algorithms, and calculations. Do it because you are convinced, it doesn’t matter how many people agree with you,” Kuria stated.
Moses Kuria on Dialogue & Handshake
Besides, the CS wondered why the dialogue is associated with a handshake despite the calls by the youth.
He argued that the government cannot listen to the demands made by the youth without engaging in talks.
“I don’t know why in this country dialogue is synonymous with a handshake. But one of the reasons Gen Z is telling us is because we are not listening; listening means dialogue,” he said.
Kuria explained that the talks have been devolved to the counties and constituencies with governors and MPs leading the discussions.
He asked Kenyans and leaders to support the calls for dialogue, adding that those who don’t will be left behind.
“The fact that the dialogue has moved to counties and constituencies speaks a lot. I am afraid people who are not boarding will be left behind with Kenyans themselves because people are in that mood. What’s wrong with dialogue? What’s wrong with presenting a petition?” he asked.
Kalonzo Rejects Ruto’s Dialogue Calls
This comes as divisions emerged within Azimio after Raila supported and agreed to engage in dialogue with Ruto to ease tensions.
Kalonzo told Ruto to carry his own cross, saying he will not be involved in sanitizing the Kenya Kwanza government.
“We don’t want to sanitize this regime, a regime that has fallen on its tummy. Let them carry their own cross. We will be meeting as Azimio to reflect on the reaction of Kenyans; we are very open to democracy,” Kalonzo said.
He said the calls for a national dialogue were hurried and there was no full consultation before the decision was made.
Kalonzo missed the second press briefing at KICC on Tuesday, July 9, when Raila and Ruto announced plans to hold a national dialogue.
Also Read: Martha Karua Differs with Raila After Ruto’s Announcement
Karua, Jubilee and Eugene Wamalwa Reject Talks
NARC party leader Martha Karua opposed the talks, calling them a trap. She urged the political class to be careful lest they hijack the genuine clamor for accountability and reforms by Gen Z.
“Dialogue can only be meaningful if the players have good faith and are guided by the best interests of the people,” Karua said.
Jubilee Party, led by Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni, opposed the talks and maintained that President Ruto should leave office.
In a press conference, Kioni said, “It is not a problem that he wants people to talk but we are saying that there is no time for that. Let him look for peace, but we are calling for him to leave.”
Also Read: Boniface Mwangi Calls Out Governor for Using Raila’s Name to Stop Gen Z Concert
Raila Changes Tunes
In a statement on July 10, Raila said he had been informed that Gen Z is against a handshake without giving finer details about his next move.
Raila made the announcement after a meeting with young ODM leaders led by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and his Migori counterpart Eddy Oketch.
“Nimeambiwa na hawa viongozi kwamba mumesema hamtaki handshake. Ujumbe umefika,” Raila wrote on X.
This loosely translates to “I have been told by these leaders that you have said you do not want a handshake. The message has been received.”
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